A daunting task.

Tue, 2011-07-12 14:47 — beenieg80

Why do I feel so intimidated by something so small? I have a simple pattern, I mean you can’t get more basic than this, yarn and DPN’s but yet I am afraid to start. I have cast on a couple time already and get stumped when the pattern tells me to join in the round. I can picture it in my head on what to do, I just don’t seem to be able to get my hands to translate, I just don’t seem to feel very sure about how to join in the round. I have more yarn and another pattern that I really want to do, I just need to get the basics down first.
Oh when will I ever get this first sock done…

Comments

When I start my ribbing, I usually cast onto one needle then work back in the ribbing pattern for one row. Afterwards, I slip my stitches onto my working needles and then join into the round by knitting in ribbing. [Sort of like Bill's join, only it is one row.] Then I use the tail to join the gap. -- Books, knitting, cats, fountain pens...Life is Good.

Lots of good tips and methods to try----everyone usually finds the method that works best for them---please keep trying all of them and do NOT be intimidated by some sticks and a bunch of string---you are in charge----I use a method pretty much like Bills----Do you have KNITTING WITHOUT TEARS ? Saint Elizabeth Zimmerman can and will help you through anything.

I was also intimidated by socks and dpn's at first! But there's no need to be. I would second ilhiker's suggestion of Very Pink Knits' videos; she explains things wonderfully. Here's the link again, the link on his mail went to the other video!

I also like Cat Bordhi's method of joining - When you cast on, say, 60 stitches, start counting after your first loop. That way you'll have 61. Leave that loop with the first 30 (if you're using 3 needles). When you go to join, take that loop and bring it over to the beginning of where you're going to knit, and knit it together with your first stitch. I.e. start with a k2tog using your first and last loops. That way your round is joined and it also helps to avoid the "jog."

I usually prefer to use 4 rather than 3 needles, it makes it easier to avoid laddering.

Here's another video series I like. You can buy her pattern and the pattern references her videos, or you can just watch and most socks should follow similar patterns as long as they don't use fancy stitching. She uses DPN for this project, but has other tutorials that use circular needles.

When I knit socks, for example, in the round, I might cast on 60 stitches using the long tail method. I cast them all on to one needle and then I slip 20 (purlwise) onto another needle and then the next twenty on to another needle. I now have three needle each with twenty stitches. If you do this you will notice that one end stitch has no yarn hanging from it and the other end stitch does. Lay the needle without the yarn on top of the needle that has the yarn - thus forming a triangle. Insert the fourth needle in the stitch without the yarn and knit it with the yarn. You have now joined in the round.
Obviously much harder to explain then do!!

Search

Archives

Spread The Word

Shout box

You're not permitted to post shouts.

xtophercb: had to give up on knittinghelp.com ... too much anti-guy teasing that was becoming outright disdain. too bad, it actually lived up to its name and was very helpful for a time.4 weeks 4 days ago

buddha: Any knitting guy on Maui?15 weeks 1 day ago

Joe-in Wyoming: I hope you all have a Blessed weekend. Shalom to my friends who observe Passover and Happy Easter to those celebrate. Everyone else, just because you are you.17 weeks 3 days ago

buddha: anybody help me find a pattern for a tee shirt. 2Xl or 3 XL. Too hot here for a sweater and I've got this great cotton yarn ready to work with??19 weeks 5 days ago

CLABBERS: Everyone being affected by this latest snow storm, be careful. Stay in and knit!22 weeks 21 hours ago

Joe-in Wyoming: Happy Lunar New Year, everybody. Today begins the Year of the Sheep/Goat.23 weeks 3 days ago

michaelpthompson: I sure hope to go. I have been to two of them, and it's an excellent time.23 weeks 6 days ago

Joe-in Wyoming: I've been lucky enough to have attended every RMMKR and plan to go to this year's event.24 weeks 6 days ago